GB2363280A - Infra-red hands-free kit for a mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

The kit comprising an earpiece 4 and an infra-red transmitter 6. The transmitter 6 is arranged to be connected to the handset to relay audio signals from the handset to the earpiece 4. The earpiece 4 comprises an infra-red receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter 6. Thus, by carrying the transmitter 6 on the front of the user, audio signals may be relayed from the handset to the earpiece 4 with the reduced likelihood of the earpiece 4 becoming dislodged as the user moves his head.

Description

2363280 Hands-free Kit for Mobile Radio-TeleDhone Handset The present

invention relates to a handsfree kit for a mobile radio- telephone handset.

Concerns have recently grown about the safety of mobile radio-telephones handsets, otherwise known as cellular phones, 5 which have been found to emit high levels of microwave radiation.

To reduce the risks associated with such handsets, a number of hands-free kits have been devised which connect an earpiece and microphone to a handset via wires, thereby 10 allowing the handset to be located a safe distance from the user's head.

However, it has been found that the earpieces of such kits are easily dislodged by tension on the connecting wires caused, for example, by the wires catching on the user',s outer 15 garments as he moves his head.

More importantly, it has recently been suggested that the connecting wires of such kits act as a conduit, channelling microwave radiation from the handset to the user's head.

We have now devised an arrangement which overcomes the 20 limitations of existing hand-free kits for mobile radiotelephone handsets.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hands-free kit for a mobile radio-telephone handset. the kit comprising an earpiece and an infrared 25 transmitter, the transmitter being arranged to be connected to the handset to relay audio signals from the handset to the earpiece, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter.

Thus, by positioning the transmitter in front of the 30 user, audio signals may be relayed from the handset to the earpiece with the reduced likelihood of the earpiece becoming dislodged as the user moves his head.

The receiver may be located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear.

Alternatively, the earpiece may comprise means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the 5 receiver.

The transmitter is preferably arranged to be carried in the user's breast pocket or worn on the user's front, in lineofsight of the earpiece receiver or of the reflecting means,.and may be provided with means for attaching to an outer- 10 garment worn by the user. For example, the attaching means may comprise a clip for attaching the transmitter to the breast pocket or the lapel of a jacket or to a neck-tie.

Alternatively the transmitter may be permanently mounted to, or provided with means for temporarily attaching 15 to, a part of a vehicle, for example the vehicle dashboard, in line-of- sight of the earpiece receiver.

Preferably, the hands-free kit also comprises a microphone for connecting to the handset, the microphone preferably comprising part of an integrated unit also 20 comprising the transmitter.

The transmitter is preferably powered from the power supply of the handset.

The earpiece preferably comprises a re-chargeable power supply, which is preferably arranged to be re-charged via a 25 mains adapter or by plugging the earpiece, either directly or via an adaptor, into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle.

The transmitter and receiver may be arranged to respectively encode and decode audio signals using the same unique encryption algorithm. The encryption algorithm may, for 30 example, be derived from the phone number or other identification code of the handsbt with which the hands-free kit is to be used. An encryption key is preferably transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver. The transmitter is preferably operable to provide a single transmission of the 35 encryption key.

The transmitter may also or otherwise be arranged to transmit a unique identification signal to identify itself to the earpiece. The earpiece may be arranged to respond to an invalid identification signal by emitting an audible warning 5 signal.

Preferably the transmitter is arranged to periodically transmit said identification signal and the earpiece is arranged to provide an audible alarm signal if a valid identification signal is not received over a predetermined period of time.

Preferably, in the absence of an audio signal from the handset, the transmitter and/or the earpiece are arranged to enter a standby mode, wherein one or more functions are disabled to conserve power.

15 We have found that, in use, the amount of infra-red light received by the earpiece receiver from the transmitter varies as a user moves his head. We have also found that a high 1 evel of ambient light can corrupt the infra-red signals received by the earpiece.

20 To counteract these effects, the hands-free kit may be arranged to transmit infra-red light of a constantly high level of intensity, such that the receiver is certain to receive the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter over a range of orientations of the user's head and over a range of ambient light levels.

However, such an arrangement in clearly wasteful of the limited amount of power available to the transmitter as, except in a few extreme conditions, only a low intensity of infra-red light need be emitted by the transmitter.

30 To reduce the level of power consumption of the transmitter, whilst ensuring that an adequate signal is always received by the earpiece receiver, the hands-free kit therefore preferably comprises a second infra-red receiver, located adjacent the transmitter, and means for varying the intensity of the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter according the amount of infra-red light received by the second receiver.

The earpiece preferably comprises means for reflecting a portion of the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter back.towards the second receiver.

5 The reflecting means preferably comprises a part spherical, multi-faceted arrangement of mirrors, which is preferably located at the distal end of the forward projecting portion of the earpiece. Each facet preferably comprises a respective concave parabolic mirror.

10 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile radio-telephone arrangement comprising an earpiece and a mobile radio-telephone handset comprising an infrared transmitter for relaying audio signals from the handset to the earpiece, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter.

The receiver may be located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear.

Alternatively, the earpiece may comprise means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

The handset is preferably arranged to be carried in the 25 user, s breast pocket or worn on the user' s front, such that the t ransmitter is in line-of-sight of the earpiece receiver or of the reflecting means, and may be provided with- means for attaching to an outer-garment worn by the user. For example, the attaching means may comprise a clip for attaching the 30 telephone to the breast pocket or the lapel of a jacket or to a neck- tie.

Alternatively, the handset may be provided with means for temporarily attaching to a part of a vehicle, for example the vehicle dashboard, such that the transmitter is in line-of 35 sight of the earpiece receiver.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile radio-telephone arrangement comprising a mobile radiotelephone handset and a hands-free kit comprising an infra-red transmitter located in front of a 5 user for relaying incoming audio signals from the handset to an earpiece worn by the user, the earpiece comprising an infrared receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter.

The receiver may be located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear and into line of sight of the transmitter.

Alternatively, the earpiece may comprise means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, in line of sight of the transmitter, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

is According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an earpiece comprising means for attaching to an ear of a user and an infra-red receiver.

The receiver may be located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from 20 the user's ear. In this case, the receiver is preferably located at the distal end of a telescopic rod. Preferably a touch sensitive switch is also located at the distal end of the rod for activating the device.

- Alternatively., the earpiece may comprise means, 25 provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

Preferably the means for attaching the earpiece to the ear of the user comprises a clip for attaching to the top of 30 the user's ear. Preferably a speaker is located at the distal end of an arm which depends from one side of the clip such that, in use, the speaker is positioned within the user's ear.

A second arm may depend from the opposite side of the earpiece to provide a counterbalance for the first arm, the - second arm depending, in use, behind the user's ear. The second arm may carry electronic circuitry for the earpiece and/or a rechargeable power supply.

Preferably the clip is hinged and is opened by separating the first and second arms.

The earpiece preferably comprises a re-chargeable power supply, which is preferably arranged to be re-charged by plugging the earpiece, either directly or via an adaptor, into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, 10 there is provided an audio apparatus comprising a headset, an infra-red transmitter for transmitting audio signals to the headset, an inf ra-red receiver located adjacent the transmitter and means for varying the intensity of the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter according to the amount of infrared 15 light received by the receiver.

Preferably the headset comprises means for reflecting a portion of the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter towards the receiver.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be 20 described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 3 are respectively a front view, a side view and a rear view of a person wearing an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 4 to 6 are respectively a front view, and perspective views from each side of the earpiece of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 7 is a front view showing the earpiece opened for fitting to a person's ear; Figure 8 is a side perspective view showing the earpiece fitted to a person's ear; and Figure 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of earpiece in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a person 2 is shown wearing a hands-free kit in accordance with the present invention. The hands-free kit comprises an earpiece 4 and an infra-red transmitter 6 clipped to the breast pocket 8 of the Person's jacket.

The transmitter 6 is connected to a mobile radio 5 telephone-handset (not shown) which may, for example, be clipped to the user's belt or carried in the user's pocket, thereby maintaining a safe distance between the handset and the user's head. The transmitter 6 is part of an integrated unit, which also includes a microphone for inputting speech to the mobile radio telephone.

The transmitter 6 is powered from the power supply of the handset and transmits audio signals, received by the handset from a cellular telephone network, to the earpiece 4.

The transmitted signals are encrypted using a unique key derived from the dialling number of the handset, the single transmission of which by the transmitter is triggered by an operation of the key-pad of the telephone. The transmitter 6 also periodically transmits a unique coded identification signal.

20 An infra-red receiver islocated at the distal end of a portion 10 of the earpiece which projects forwards from the user's ear 12 and into lineof-sight of the transmitter 6 to receive audio signals therefrom. The received audio signals are decoded and amplified through a speaker 14 which is positioned 25 adjacent the person's ear 12.

The earpiece 4 is also arranged to receive the coded identification transmitted by the transmitter 6 and to emit a first audible warning signal via the speaker 14 if that signal is invalid (thereby indicating the presence of another 30 transmitter within its reception range) and a second audible warning signal if a valid identification code is not received over a pre- determined period of time (thereby indicating either a failure of the transmitter 6 or a misalignment of the earpiece 4 and the transmitter 6' such that infra-red 35 communication between the two is obstructed).

The construction of the earpiece 4 is shown in detail in Figures 4 to 6. Two part-cylindrical halves 16,18 of a clip 20 are hingedly joined together along the top of the earpiece and are each lined with a cushioning material 22. A telescopic 5 rod 24 extends forwards from the clip 20 and is provided at its distal end with an infra-red receiver 26. A portion of the rod, also at its distal end, is touch-sensitive for activating and de-activating the electronic circuitry of the earpiece. In its retracted position, the projecting portion of the rod 24 is 10 arranged to fit either directly, or via an adaptor, into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle to recharge the power supply of the earpiece via electrical contacts on the exterior of the rod.

The distal end of the rod 24 may also be provided with 15 a partspherical mirrored portion (not shown), preferably comprising a plurality of concave parabolic facets, for reflecting a portion of the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter back towards an infra-red receiver located adjacent the transmitter.

20 Means are provided for varying the intensity of light emitted by the transmitter 6 according to the amount of light reflected to ensure that the amount of infra-red light falling upon the receiver 26 of the earpiece 4 remains substantially constant regardless of the orientation of the person's head and 25 thus the distance and/or misalignment between the transmitter 6 and the earpiece receiver 26.

The infra-red receiver located adjacent the transmitter 6 may also or otherwise be used to adjust the intensity of light. emitted by the transmitter according to ambient light 30 levels.

A speaker 14 and a housing 28 depend on opposite sides of the earpiece, from respective halves 16,18 of the clip 20, the housing 28 accommodating the re-chargeable power supply and electronic circuitry of the earpiece 4.

35 The earpiece 4 is fitted to a person's ear 12 as shown in Figures 7 and 8 by first separating the speaker 14 and housing 28 parts of the earpiece to open the clip 20 and then bringing the two parts 14,28 back together, on opposite sides of the person's ear 12 such that the clip 20 becomes attached 5 to the top of the ear 12, with the speaker 14 positioned within the ear, the housing 28 extending behind the ear and the telescopic rod 24 extending forwards from the ear.

The transmitter 6 and earpiece 4 are each arranged to enter a standby mode to conserve power when no audio signal is being received by the mobile telephone handset.

An alternative earpiece arrangement is shown in Figure 9, and comprises a parabolic concave mirror 30 for reflecting signals from the transmitter to a receiver located adjacent the speaker 14.

15, The wireless, hands-free arrangement thus described provides a much safer alternative to existinghand-free arrangements for use with mobile radio-telephone handsets.

Claims (1)

1. Claims.

   1) A hands-free kit for a mobile radio-telephone handset, the kit comprising an earpiece and an infra-red transmitter, the transmitter being arranged to be connected to the handset 5 to relay audio signals from the handset to the earpiece, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter.

   2) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear.

   3) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the earpiece comprises means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

   4) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter is arranged to be carried in the users breast pocket or worn on the user's front, in line-of-sight of the earpiece receiver or of the reflecting means.

   20 5) A hands-free kit as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitter is permanently mounted to, or provided with means for temporarily attaching to, a part of a vehicle in line-of-sight of the earpiece receiver.

   6) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a microphone for connecting to the handset 7) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the microphone comprises part of an integrated unit also comprising the transmitter.

   8) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter is powered from the power supply of the handset.

   9) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, 5' wherein the earpiece comprises a re-chargeable power supply.

   10) A. hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rechargeable power supply is arranged to be recharged via a mains adapter.

   11) A hands-free kit as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, 10 wherein the re-chargeable power supply is arranged to be recharged by plugging the earpiece, either directly or via an adaptor, into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle.

   12) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter and receiver are arranged to 15 respectively encode and decode audio signals using the same unique encryption algorithm.

   13) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the encryption algorithm is derived from the phone number or other identification code of the handset with which the hands-free 20 kit is to be used.

   14) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein an encryption key is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver.

   15) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the transmitter is operable to provide a single transmission of the encryption key.

   16) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a unique identification signal to identify itself to the earpiece.

   17) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the earpiece is arranged to respond to an invalid identification 5 signal by emitting an audible warning signal.

   18) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17.. wherein the transmitter is arranged to periodically transmit said identification signal and the earpiece is arranged to provide an audible alarm signal if a valid identification 10 signal is not received over a pre-determined period of time.

   19) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in the absence of an audio signal from the handset, the transmitter and/or the earpiece are arranged to enter a standby mode, wherein one or more functions are disabled to 15 conserve power.

   20) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to transmit infrared light of a constantly high level of intensity, such that the receiver is certain to recei ve the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter over a range of 20 orientations of the user's head and over a range of ambient light levels.

   21) A hands-free kit as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 19, comprising a second infra-red receiver, located adjacent the transmitter, and means for varying the intensity of the infra- 25 red light emitted by the transmitter according the amount of infra-red light received by the second receiver.

   22) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the earpiece comprises means for reflecting a portion of the infra red light emitted by the transmitter back towards the second 13 receiver.

   23) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement comprising an earpiece and a mobile radio-telephone handset comprising an infra-red transmitter for relaying audio signals from the 5 handset to the earpiece, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter.

   24) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from 10 the user's ear.

   25) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the earpiece comprises means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

   15 26) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the handset is arranged to be carried in the users breast pocket or worn on the user's front, such that the transmitter is in lineof-sight of the earpiece receiver or of the reflecting means.

   20 27) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the handset is provided with means for temporarily attaching to a part of a vehicle such that the transmitter is in lineof-sight of the earpiece receiver.

   28) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement comprising a 25 mobile radio-telephone handset and a hands-free kit comprising an infra-red transmitter located in front of a user for relaying incoming audio signals from the handset to an earpiece worn by the user, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving audio signals from the transmitter.

   29) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear and into line of sight of the transmitter.

   5 30) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the earpiece comprises means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, in line of sight of the transmitter, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

   10 31) An earpiece comprising means for attaching to an ear of a user and an infrared receiver.

   32) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 31, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear.

   ' 33) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 32, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a telescopic rod.

   34) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 33, wherein a touch sensitive switch is located at the distal end of the rod for activating the receiver.

   20 35) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 31, wherein the earpiece comprises means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

   36) An earpiece as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 35, 25 wherein the means for attaching the earpiece to the ear of the user comprises a clip for attaching.to the top of the user's ear.

   37) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 36, wherein a speaker is located at the distal end of an arm which depends from one side of the clip such that, in use, the speaker is positioned W ithin the user's ear.

   38) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 37, wherein a second arm depends from the opposite side of the earpiece to the first arm to provide a counterbalance for the first arm, the second arm depending, in use, behind the user's ear.

   39) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 37, wherein the second arm carries electronic circuitry for the earpiece.

   40) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 37 or Claim 38, wherein the second arm carries a rechargeable power supply.

   41) An earpiece as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 40, wherein the clip is hinged and is opened by separating the first and second arms.

   42) An earpiece as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 41, wherein the earpiece comprises a rechargeable power supply.

   43) An earpiece as claimed in Claim 42, wherein the re chargeable supply is arranged to be re-charged by plugging the 20 earpiece, either directly or via an adaptor, into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle.

   An audio apparatus comprising a headset, an infra-red transmitter for transmitting audio signals to the headset, an infra-red receiver located adjacent the transmitter and means for varying the intensity of the infrared light emitted by the transmitter according to the amount of infra-red light received by the receiver.

   45) An audio apparatus as claimed in Claim 44,wherein the headset comprises means for reflecting a portion of the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter towards the receiver.

   5, 46) A hands-free kit for a mobile radio-telephone handset, the kit being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   47) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   48) An earpiece substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   49) An audio apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 11 Claims A hands-free kit for a mobile radio-telephone handset, the kit comprising an earpiece and an infra-red transmitter, the transmitter being arranged to be carried by a user, to 5 receive audio signals from the handset and to relay those signals as infra-red signals to the earpiece, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving said infra-red signals from the transmitter.

   2) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear.

   3) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the earpiece comprises means, provided on a forwards projecting 15 portion of the earpiece, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

   4) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a microphone for connecting to the handset 5) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the 20 microphone comprises part of an integrated unit also comprising the transmitter.

   6) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter is powered from the power supply of the handset.

   25 7) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the earpiece comprises a re-chargeable power supply.

   8) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the re-chargeable power supply is arranged to be re- Is charged via a mains adapter.

   9) A hands-free kit as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the re-chargeable power supply is arranged to be re charged by plugging the earpiece, either directly or via an adaptor, into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle.

   10) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter and receiver are arranged to respectively encode and decode audio signals using the same unique encryption algorithm.

   10 11) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the encryption algorithm is derived from the phone number or other identification code of the handset with which the hands-free kit is to be used.

   12) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, 15 wherein an encryption key is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver.

   13) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the transmitter is operable to provide a single transmission of the encryption key.

   20 14) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a unique identification signal to identify itself to the earpiece.

   15) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the earpiece is arranged to respond to an invalid identification signal by emitting an audible warning signal.

   16) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the transmitter is arranged to periodically transmit iq said identification signal and the earpiece is arranged to provide an audible alarm signal if a valid identification signal is not received over a pre-determined period of time.

   17) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in the absence of an audio signal from the handset, the transmitter and/or the earpiece are arranged to enter a standby mode, wherein one or more functions are disabled to conserve power.

   18) A hands-free kit as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to transmit infra-red light of a constantly high level of intensity, such that the receiver is certain to receive the infra-red light emitted by the transmitter over a range of orientations of the user's head and over a range of ambient light levels.

   is 19) A hands-free kit as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17, comprising a second infra-red receiver, located adjacent the transmitter, and means for varying the intensity of the infrared light emitted by the transmitter according the amount of infra-red light received by the second receiver.

   20 20) A hands-free kit as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the earpiece comprises means for reflecting a portion of the inf rared light emitted by the transmitter back towards the second receiver.

   21) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement comprising a 25 mobile radio-telephone handset and a hands-free kit comprising an earpiece and an infra-red transmitter arranged to be carried by a user, to receive audio signals from the handset and to relay those signals as infra-red signals to the earpiece, the earpiece comprising an infra-red receiver for receiving said 30 infra-red signals from the transmitter.

   22) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the receiver is located at the distal end of a portion of the earpiece which, in use, projects forwards from the user's ear and into line of sight of the transmitter.

   5 23) A mobile radio-telephone arrangement as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the earpiece comprises means, provided on a forwards projecting portion of the earpiece, in line of sight of the transmitter, for reflecting audio signals from the transmitter towards the receiver.

   10 24) An infra-red transmitter arranged to be carried by a user, to receive audio signals from a mobile radio-telephone handset and to relay those signals as infra-red signals to an earpiece worn by the user.